Also another point in 2014, Lebron will be 29-30? We dont know well an unathletic Lebron will be. This is not a Kobe Bryant. So by the time Lebron is 33, he could REALLY slow down just like Wade is starting to show signs of that inability to drive = becoming useless.

Anyways lets speculate this at the end of the 2014 season or at least at the end of this season

Yep. His game isn't really based around longevity.

This is why I said if we're going for some free agents in 2014. We should be looking at Kevin Love(who already has said he "talked" with Kobe and 'doesn't know' bout hos future in Minnesota" (hint hint!)" And Kyrie Irving. Who I think would be our best bet.

Look at the lineup

Kyrie IrvingKobe BryantMetta World PeaceKevin LoveDwight Howard

Tell me that starting lineup isn't amazing.

And in D'antoni's offense? OH BOY!

Not to mention We'd have STEVE NASH coming off the bench for Kyrie as well as mentoring him....Just think about all that for a second.

"Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen."

This is why I said if we're going for some free agents in 2014. We should be looking at Kevin Love(who already has said he "talked" with Kobe and 'doesn't know' bout hos future in Minnesota" (hint hint!)" And Kyrie Irving. Who I think would be our best bet.

Look at the lineup

Kyrie IrvingKobe BryantMetta World PeaceKevin LoveDwight Howard

Tell me that starting lineup isn't amazing.

And in D'antoni's offense? OH BOY!

Not to mention We'd have STEVE NASH coming off the bench for Kyrie as well as mentoring him....Just think about all that for a second.

I mean I would take KLove and Kyrie over Lebron all day at that point, but the problem is both do not expire until 2015. Love has a player option in 2015 while Kyrie will be a UFA assuming he does not reach an extension and the team signs his option for 2014-2015. If the Lakers can hold onto their cap space for another year that would be great. But I just don't see it happening.

Durant is the type of guy that won't just leave OKC on a whim like that.

Honestly, there isn't much of a point thinking about 2014 when we still have a solid window to win for 2 years. Let's leave that type of a rebuilding mindset to the Bobcats.

Of course that doesn't mean it's in the back of Mitch's mind. There's a reason many of our current contracts expire in 2014. LA will be a big player then, but it's useless speculating how that's going to turn out. How many of you guys really thought LeBron was going to go to the Heat in 2008?

Durant is the type of guy that won't just leave OKC on a whim like that.

Honestly, there isn't much of a point thinking about 2014 when we still have a solid window to win for 2 years. Let's leave that type of a rebuilding mindset to the Bobcats.

Of course that doesn't mean it's in the back of Mitch's mind. There's a reason many of our current contracts expire in 2014. LA will be a big player then, but it's useless speculating how that's going to turn out. How many of you guys really thought LeBron was going to go to the Heat in 2008?

I guess in my profession and the way my mind works, I tend to think similar to how a GM would, rather than a fan. But yes back in 2008 following Beijing it became clear that Lebron would look to team with Wade. I did not think it would necessarily mean going to Miami, but teaming up somewhere in an attractive market not named Cleveland was my guess. I originally thought New York, but either way...predicting and planning and analyzing is half the fun of closely following the NBA.

In this moment in time, you're 100% right but things change. Look at LeBron....I don't think I ever thought he'd leave. I thought he should leave, but I didn't think he'd actually do it.

If Durant doesn't win in this contract who knows if he'll want to stay in OKC.

It was rather evident with LeBron that him leaving was a legit option. He even stated he wanted to be the first billionaire athlete when he came into the league and he was clearly all about the $$, which he couldn't get in the small market Cleveland. His relationship with Jay Z etc made things even more obvious. I knew in 2008 he would consider leaving very heavily, and in 2010 I was almost sure he would.

Durant has been almost the polar opposite. That's not to say he would play for free, but I would say he's more humble and loyal than LeBron.

This is why I said if we're going for some free agents in 2014. We should be looking at Kevin Love(who already has said he "talked" with Kobe and 'doesn't know' bout hos future in Minnesota" (hint hint!)" And Kyrie Irving. Who I think would be our best bet.

Look at the lineup

Kyrie IrvingKobe BryantMetta World PeaceKevin LoveDwight Howard

Tell me that starting lineup isn't amazing.

And in D'antoni's offense? OH BOY!

Not to mention We'd have STEVE NASH coming off the bench for Kyrie as well as mentoring him....Just think about all that for a second.

Id love Kevin Love on this team however he cant opt out of his contract till 2015 and I think the same for Kyrie Irving which would also be a restricted free agent. So pretty hard to get both in 2014 .

http://www.hoopsworld.com/2015-nba-free-agents/ (2015 free agent class)We cant get Irving its a TEAM OPTION. Does anyone see Cleveland giving up Kyrie for nothing. Not to mention in 2015 he will be offered a "qualifying offer" which makes him a restricted free agent as in anything we offer him, Cleveland can match??

http://www.hoopsworl...ba-free-agents/ (2015 free agent class)We cant get Irving its a TEAM OPTION. Does anyone see Cleveland giving up Kyrie for nothing. Not to mention in 2015 he will be offered a "qualifying offer" which makes him a restricted free agent as in anything we offer him, Cleveland can match??